David cochrane



. D. GOGHRANE. FEED WATER HEATER, PURIFIER, AND SEPARATOR.

Patented Dec. 11,1894.

a ATTORNEY ms NORRIS Pzrzns co, rmoloumcvv wnsumomn. n. cy

(No Model.)

WITNESSES: @3 0% to the rod L which is attached to the float UNITE STATES I PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID OOOHRANE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TOTHE HARRISON SAFETY BOILER WORKS, OF SAME PLACE.

FEED-WATER HEATER, PURIFVIIER,VAND SEPARATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 530,749,datd1)eceinber 11,1894.

Application filed April 20, 1894.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID COCHRANE, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in a Feed-Water Heater, Purifier, and Separator, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to so combine in onestructure a feed water heater and purifier and steam separator that they may serve the purpose of an expansion tank and return tank, besides doing their own work in any system where exhaust steam is used in radiators or coils for heating or drying p ur-. poses, as will be hereinafter set forth.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a feed water heater and purifier embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a front elevation, parts of the casing being broken away at the side to show the interior. Fig. 3 represents a plan view of Fig. 2, a portion being broken away to show the construction of the separator.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

Referring to the drawings: A designates the feed water heater inclosed by a casing to which is suitably secured the steam separat; I ing deviceB, which has the baflie plates 0,

which are located in the path of the inco ming steam, and serve to arrest any impurities in the same.

D designates an exhaust steam inlet.

E designates a drip pipe leading down-. wardly from the separator into the waste pipe F, which enters the bottom of the box G, which has the function of a steam trap, and is attached to the side of the casing A, having an opening covered by the flange H for the insertion of the float J. The flange H has a hollow boss K cast thereon, which carries the arm L, one end of which is suitably connected J, while the other end is secured to the arm M, which is suitably connected to the stem of the regulating valve N, in such a way that any variation of level of the water in the go trap G will through the medium of the float and intervening mechanism, cause the valve Serial No. 503134 2. (No model.)

to move so as to increase or retard the flow of water from the trap G through the waste pipe F, to which is attached the blow-0E pipe P, which leads from thebottom of the tank, and is provided with the valve Q. The trap G is open to the inside of the heater through the skimmer R, over which projects the deflecting plate S.

T designates a gage for indicating the height of water in the trap G, and U designates a gage for indicating the water line of g the main heater.

' V designates a man-hole near the bottom of the casing.

W designates the return pipe of the system, and X designates the base of a combined waterbox and tray ontheinside of the heater, which extends from side to side of the same.

I Y designates a partition, the edge of which is serrated or saw-toothed, and extends upwardly so,v there is always a water seal over the return opening, thus preventing any steam from leaving the heater through the return pipe W, or interfering with the flow of water therein. The edge Z of the tray is also serrated or saw-toothed, so that as the returm water flows over the edges Y'and Z, it will fall in the form of finely divided streams, which will mingle freely with the steam until they are both of approximately .the same temperature, before it drops into the tank below, from which it is pumpedto the boiler through the pipe A, which leads to a feed pump.

In the upper part of the heater are located the deflecting plates B, O, D, &c., which arearranged alternately, and break into finely divided streams, the cold water flowing on to them fromthe cold waterinlet pipe E which is provided with a regulating valve F, which is connected by means of its stem G and link H, and other suitable intervening mechanism, similar to that shown in connection with the float in the trap G, to the float K, so that any variation of water level in the tank, will cause the regulating valve F to either open or close, thus increasing or decreasing the flow of cold water into the tank.

L designates a hood extending downwardly to near the bottom of the tank.

M designates doors for providing access to the deflecting plates or trays.

N designates the highest water line which can be reached, any water rising to a higher level flowing into the skimmer R, and thence to the steam trap G.

O designates the normal or working water line.

In dotted lines at the top of Fig. 2, P designates a pipe leading from the heater to the atmosphere, and Q designates a back pressure valve placed in it, beyond the last connections R, R that are taken from it to radiators or coils. A connection is also made to any of the steam heating pipes inside of the back pressure valve from a boiler or live steam pipe S, in which is a reducing valve T, set to a lower pressure than the back pressure valve Q, so that there will be no chance of steam blowing through it to the atmosphere. The object of this live steam inlet is to introduce live steam to supplement the exhaust if there is not enough to supply the demands of the radiators. Should there be more exhaust than the radiators will condense, the pressure will increase until it is high enough to open the back pressure valve, the surplus escaping to the atmosphere.

The operation will now be apparent. The water of condensation from the heating system enters the heater through the pipe W, which leads into the combined box and tray, which is so constructed that the return opening is always sealed with water, thus preventing any steam from leaving the heater through said return pipe, and thus interfering with the flow of water therein. As the return water flows over the serrated edges Y and Z, it will be broken up into small streams which will mingle freely with the incoming steam until they are both of approximately the same temperature, before falling into the tank below, whence it is pumped to the boiler through the pipe A. If the return water is not enough to supply the demands of the pump, then the water level begins to fall in the tank, lowering the float K, and opening the regulating valve F in the cold water supply pipe E, which will admit enough cold water to make up any deficiency, this cold water being heated by mingling with the exhaust steam in its downward flow over the plates or trays B, O, D, &c. Should more water accumulate in the heater than is being pumped back to the boilers, the water level in the tank will rise until it reaches the top of the skimmer R, over which it will flow into the trap G, raising the float J, which by means of its intervening mechanism, will lift the valve N in the waste pipe, thus allowing any surplus water to leave the heater. \Vater or oil from the separator B passing through the pipe E acts in the same way on the float with the same results, and it will be seen that water or oil from the heater or separator can never accumulate so as to interefere with the free flow of steam through the heater.

Exhaust steam enters the heater through the pipe D, passing through the separator B,

where any entrained oil or water is separated, and is conducted through the pipe E to its waste pipe F, as has been hereinbefore de scribed.

The pulsations of the exhaust will be dissipated in the heater, as there is ample room for the variations of pressure to equalize and keep a steady flow of steam through the exhaust pipe at the top, which leads to the at mosphere and which is provided with the back pressure valve Q, and the auxiliary live steam pipe, the function of which parts has already been set forth.

Some parts of the heater and of the steam separatingdevice are substantially the same as described in my patents of March 3, 1885, and February 4, 1890, and to these I make no claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The herein described water seal box and tray, having a base X, and the serrated partitions Y and Z, arranged at an angle thereto said box being adapted to be attached to a heater, substantially as described.

2. A water seal box and tray provided with a base X, and the partitions Y and Z adapted to be attached to the interior of a feed water heater, substantially as described.

3. A feed water heater, a steam separator, and a steam trap suitably attached thereto, and independent passages leading from the heater and separator to the same, said trap being provided with a valve, waste pipe, and float-actuated mechanism communicating therewith, said parts being combined substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4:. A feed water heater, a steam separator and trap attached thereto, independent passages from the separator and heater leading to the trap, float-actuated mechanism for re lieving the trap of any accumulation of water, and a water seal device located opposite the return pipe of the heater, said parts being combined substantially as described.

5. In a feed water heater, having a return pipe, a water seal box and tray adjacent thereto, a pipe leading to a feed pump, an inlet for exhaust steam above the water level of the heater, a cold water supply pipe for the heater, float-actuated mechanism connected to the cold Water supply pipe, whereby any lowering of the water level in the tank will cause an inflow of cold water, and vice-versa, substantially as described.

6. In a feed water heater, having a return pipe, a water seal box or tray adjacent thereto, a pipe leading to a feed pump, an inlet for exhaust steam above the water level of the heater, a cold water supply pipe for the heater,a hood projecting over said pipe, leading to the feed pump, float-actuated mechanism connected to the cold water supply pipe, whereby any lowering of the Water level in the tank will cause an inflow of cold water, and vice-versa, substantially as described,

IIO

7. A feed water heater provided with a separator, and a trap attached thereto, independent passages leading from the separator and heater to said trap, float-actuated mechanism, whereby any undue accumulation of water inthe trap is prevented, a water seal placed adjacent to the return pipe inlet, a cold Water inlet pipe, float-actuated'mechanism connected therewith, said parts being combined substantially as described.

8. In a feed water heating device of the character described, a pipe P leading to the atmosphere, a back pressure valve therein, pipes below said valve leading to radiators or heating systems, an auxiliary live steam pipe S entering the pipe P, below the back pressure valve, provided with a reducing valve T, set at a lower pressure than the back pressure valve, said parts being combined substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. A feed water heater, a steam separator, and a steam trap attached thereto, and independent passages leadingfrom the heater and separator to said trap, the passage leading from the heater being provided with a valved waste pipe, and float actuated mechanism operating therewith, said parts being combined substantially as described.

DAVID COCHRANE.

Witnesses:

J OHN A. WIEDERSHEIM, R. H. GRAESER. 

